Let me share a secret about the hygiene of many, many writers. When we’re on deadline or in the midst of a creative burst, we may forget about one of the basic processes in everyday cleanliness – namely, the shower. I’m slightly embarrassed to admit, but there have been days when I’ve looked up from my…
Haunted Hegewisch
Hegewisch (pronounced heg-wish) is a neighborhood on the South-East side of Chicago. Actually, you can’t go any further South or East without leaving the City! One of my friends, an avid fan of all-things-Chicago, shared this story with me. This story is from the folks at http://hegewisch.net/ – check out their site and the other…
Going Home
Years ago, when I had my own marketing company, I had a number of funeral homes as clients. I worked with them for years and learned a lot, not just about their business, but about the nature of death. One of the things I learned was that often people who are sickly and near death…
Hide and Seek
Let me tell you a story about what I saw in the forest that day. But first, I have to tell you why I was out there by myself, well away from the nearest hiking trail, mud-stained and perspiring, and playing a grown-up game of hide-and-seek. It all began with Sydney and Melbourne. They came…
Ghost Town
On my recent trip out west, I have to confess that, other than Tex in Cowboy Café in Sheridan, Wyoming, my trip was sadly lacking in paranormal experiences. Part of that could be that we stayed mostly with family in newer homes and part of it might have been the time of year. There’s something…
Winners Announcement for the 2016 Lovin’ My Library Contest
We are excited to announce the winners for the 2016 Lovin’ My Library contest! Because so many of you entered the contest, we are already planning to do this again next year to give everyone another chance to nominate their library. Thank you for wanting to share our books with your community via your favorite…
How Do You Know?
Several years ago, during the New Year season, I found myself at the Cowboy Café in Sheridan, Wyoming. It’s located in the historic district of Sheridan and was chock full of really cool cowboy memorabilia, as well as excellent food. (The homemade strawberry rhubarb pie is AMAZING!) Anyway, towards the end of my meal, I…
Holiday Surprise
As my children have gotten older, one of the new traditions we have during the holidays is the drive out to Idaho to take them back to college. Since we have family in Idaho and Utah, we take this opportunity to meet with them and catch up. We have been lucky enough, in the last…
The Delivery
The night was bitterly cold and the wind whipped across the plains with the hint of frost and snow. “Of course it’s cold,” the farmer muttered as he knelt in the straw. “Seems like that’s the only time these sheep have problems with lambing.” The young ewe looked up at the man kneeling next to…
New Release – A Mary O’Reilly Christmas Short Story
To All A Good Night – A Mary O’Reilly Series Short Story It’s Mary O’Reilly’s first Christmas in Freeport and she’s stranded by a snowstorm, so she can’t make it home to Chicago for the holidays. During the storm she learns the true meaning of Christmas with the help of her new friends, Stanley and…